Scent permeation container seal, container including said seal and methods of making said seal and said container

ABSTRACT

A seal for containers is provided that allows the scent from the substance within the container to come through, while preventing leakage of the substance from within the container and/or physical contact of the substance by the consumer. More particularly, a seal is provided having at least one slit extending from the top surface of the seal through the bottom surface of the seal. The at least one slit will allow a consumer to sniff the scent released through the slit, while the seal remains secured to the container, thereby preventing leakage, as well as, contamination, damage and/or reduced volume caused by consumers sampling the products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to: co-pending Provisional Patent Application No. 61/662,055, filed on Jun. 20, 2012, entitled “CONTAINER SEAL”; that application being incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a seal for a container and, more particularly, to a seal for a container holding a cream, gel, powder liquid or other substance that allows the scent of the substance in the container to permeate the seal while preventing leakage of the substance within the container.

2. Description of the Related Art

Seals have been commonly used on containers for many years, to prevent leakage or contamination of the substance within the container. For example, seals are used to prevent leakage or contamination on containers containing cosmetics, foods, drinks, medicines and other items in the form of creams, gels, powders, liquids and other substances. Seals used for this purpose are typically placed either within the cap on the container or over the opening on the container.

However, many products are sold today without seals because consumers need to smell the scent prior to purchasing the product and there is no commercially viable seal on the market today that allows consumers to do so. Specifically, prior art seals are essentially hermetic seals that trap the scent of the product within the container, as well as preventing leakage of the product from the container. These prior art hermetic seals may also result in pressure build-up within the container that may cause the container to expand and collapse based on changes in the surrounding environmental conditions. Although venting seals have been developed to address the pressure build-up problem, these venting seals do not provide the ability to smell the scent of the product in a cost effective manner.

However, consumers want to smell items having a fragrance, such as lotions, creams, body washes, shampoos, deodorants, perfumes, laundry detergents, air fresheners, coffee and spices, before purchasing the items. As a result, these items are often sold in containers without seals so that consumers can remove the cap and smell the item prior to purchase.

It is not uncommon for consumers to go beyond simply removing the cap and smelling the item, by actually applying some of the product onto their body to sample the product and its fragrance. In so doing, the consumer may stick their fingers into the substance or on the opening where the substance comes out. Oftentimes, after sampling the product, the consumer closes the cap and returns the container to the shelf in the store.

This sampling of the product causes several problems. First, by placing their fingers into the substance and/or coming in contact with the opening where the substance comes out, the sampler may be contaminating the substance and spreading germs/bacteria. Additionally, each time a consumer samples the product and then returns it to the shelf, the volume of the substance within the container decreases. As a result, the consumer that eventually purchases the product is unknowingly purchasing less than a full container of a product that may have been contaminated and/or contain germs/bacteria.

From the retailer's perspective, consumers that sample products and then return them to the shelf sometimes do not place the cap on tightly, which may result in spillage if the container is tilted or falls on its side. The possibility of spillage occurring during transportation also increases due to the absence of a seal. Additionally, the shelf life of the substance within the container may be reduced or altered by the absence of a seal on the container or having been opened and exposed to the surrounding environmental conditions by a sampling consumer prior to sale. Also, the absence of a seal on a container may result in the substance contacting and/or accumulating within the cap on the container, which may cause spillage when the cap is removed and a less appealing presentation to the consumer. Further, the absence of a seal increases the chances that a product may be tampered with or tainted prior to sale to the consumer. These situations may result in the retailer being unable to sell the product, generating product returns, damaged or charge-backs, which will have an adverse effect on the retailer's financial performance and/or the financial performance of the product manufacturer and/or distributor, or could potentially cause harm to the consumer purchasing the product.

There have been some attempts over the years to address this problem. Specifically, one product utilizes a polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane in a section of the liner to allow the scent from the product stored in the container to come through, while preventing leakage of the substance from within the container. One such induction liner is made by PERFORMANCE SYSTEMATIX INC. However, this product has not proved to be a commercially viable solution because it requires a complex manufacturing process to embed the ePTFE membrane within a cutout section of the liner and the cost is significantly greater than conventional seal liners.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a seal for containers that allows the scent from the substance within the container to come through, offering a tamper evident solution, while maintaining product integrity and preventing leakage of the substance within the container. Any such seal should be capable of use with any type of container and any type of substance stored within the container. Such seal should be further capable of being manufactured using conventional seal manufacturing processes and technologies. Such seal should also be capable of being manufactured at a cost comparable to the cost of current conventional seals. The present invention is particularly suited to overcome those problems which remain in the art in a manner not previously known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards a seal for containers that allows the scent from the substance within the container to come through, while preventing leakage of the substance within the container and/or physical contact with the underlying substance by the consumer.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, a one piece, multi-layer induction seal having at least one slit extending from the top surface of the seal through the bottom surface of the seal is provided. The at least one slit will allow a consumer to sniff the scent emitted through the slit(s), while the seal remains secured to the container, thereby providing a tamper evident seal that prevents leakage, as well as, contamination, damage and/or reduced volume caused by consumers sampling the products.

Other features, which are considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in the drawings and the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a scent permeation container seal, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction of the invention, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an exemplary embodiment that is presently preferred, it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentality's disclosed. Additionally, like reference numerals represent like items throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of a seal positioned between the mouth of a container and a removable, threaded cap of the container in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of a seal positioned between the mouth of a container and a dispensing closure in accordance with another particular embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container having a seal in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention secured over the mouth of the container;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a seal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view of a seal in accordance with another particular embodiment of the invention sealed to the mouth of a container;

FIG. 5B is a partial exploded view of a seal positioned between the mouth of a container and a dispensing closure in accordance with another particular embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A is a plan view taken from one of the top or the bottom of a seal in accordance with a further particular embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B is a plan view of the seal of FIG. 6A taken from the other one of the top or the bottom of a seal;

FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of the slits of the seal of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a seal in accordance with another particular embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a sheet useful in manufacturing seals in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate strips useful in manufacturing seals in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to FIG. 1-5B, there will be described a scent releasing seal 10, 10′, 10″ in accordance with certain particular embodiments of the present invention. The seal 10, 10′, 10″ are structured to be secured to a container 20 over its mouth or opening 22. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the seal 10, 10′, 10″ may be used on containers 20 containing foods, drinks, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, confectionery, household products, air care and other items in the form of creams, gels, powders, liquids and other substances, so as to permit the scent of the product to be released through the seal, without providing direct access to the product.

The seal 10, 10′, 10″ is a generally circular and may include one (seal 10′) or more (seal 10″) tabs 18 around the circumferential edge thereof. The seal 10, 10′, 10″ is affixed to the mouth 22 of the container 20, but can be peeled off to access the contents of the container 20. In one particular embodiment, the seal 10, 10′, 10″ is sealed over the mouth 22 of the container 20 and can be peeled off using a fingernail or, in embodiments having a tab 18 (seals 10′, 10″) by grasping a tab 18 between the thumb and forefinger to facilitate removal of the seal 10′, 10″ from the mouth 22 of the container 20.

Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, it is desired that the seal 10, 10′, 10″ include at least one slit 12 for permitting the scent of the product contained within the container 20 to pass through the seal 10, 10′, 10″ without breaking the bond between the seal 10, 10′, 10″ and the circumferential edge of the mouth 22. Thus, the scent can exit through the seal, but a consumer's fingers cannot pass through the mouth 22 to the product below. As can be seen from FIGS. 1-5B, the seal 10, 10′, 10″ of the present invention can be used with different types of containers 20 and caps 40, such as a threaded cap (FIGS. 1 and 3), snap-closed cap (FIG. 2), or other types of caps know in the industry. As discussed above, the seal 10, 10′, 10″ is bonded to the circumferential edge of the container 20 over the mouth 22, and the cap is closed thereover.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5B, in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention, the seal 10, 10′, 10″ includes a plurality of slits 12. In the present particular embodiment, the seal 10, 10′, 10″ includes three slits 12, arranged in a circular configuration at the center of the seal 10, 10′, 10″. Note, however, that the seal of the present invention is not meant to be limited to only this number of slits or this configuration of slits, as more or fewer slits may be used in any desired configuration and/or location. For example, in one particular embodiment, two or more parallel slits could be provided through the seal in matched or offset pattern. The slits 12 extend from the top surface 14 of the seal 10, 10′, 10″, though the body of the seal, to the bottom surface 16 of the seal 10, 10′, 10″.

Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the seal 10, 10′, 10″ is of a one piece, multi-layer construction, as shown in connection with the seal 10′ of FIG. 4. More particularly, in one embodiment of the invention, the seal 10, 10′, 10″ includes a polyester film top layer 10 a, a layer of EPE foam 10 b, a layer of aluminum foil 10 c and a sealing layer 10 d. It should be noted, however, that more or fewer layers, or layers of other materials than listed herein, may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Referring back to FIG. 4, The seal 10′ (and/or 10, 10″, as desired) includes at least one slit 12. For purposes of example only, three slits 12 will be described. The slits 12 extend from the top surface 14 of the top layer 10 a and through all of the other layers 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, including through the bottom surface 16 of the sealing layer 10 d. In another particular embodiment, the slits 12 extend through fewer than all of the layers, for example, if permeation is possible through one or more of the layers. For example, in one particular embodiment, the sealing layer 10 d may permit permeation and, thus, would not need to be pierced by the slits 12. The length, width, depth and angle of the slits 12 are structured to allow the scent of the substance within the container 20 to permeate through the slits 12 and to substantially prevent leakage out from the slits 12 by the substance or product within the container 20. The length, width, depth and angle of the slits 12 may vary depending upon the substance to be placed within the container 20 and the sniff test requirements and/or leak tests of the product manufacturer. For example, the slits 12 may be larger for creams and gels than for substances of a lower viscosity or a more liquid nature. In addition, the number and depth of slits 12 may vary depending upon the strength of the fragrance within the container 20. For example, only one slit 12 may be used for containers 20 holding more fragrant substances, whereas multiple slits 12 may be used for containers 20 holding less fragrant substances, so that the less fragrant substance has a greater opportunity to permeate the seal 10 and be sensed on the outside of the container 20.

The container 20 may be composed of any materials now known or later developed that are capable of having a tamper evident, removable seal secured to the container 20 and that are suitable for storage of the substance being sold. In one preferred embodiment, the container 20 is composed of polyethylene or polypropylene, PET or PVC, and the seal 10 is secured to the container 20 by conduction or heat induction. In another embodiment, the container 20 is glass and the seal is secured to the container 20 by an adhesive, conduction or heat induction. However, it should be appreciated that the seal 10 may be secured to the container 20 by any means now known or later developed, including, but not limited to heat induction sealing, conduction sealing, gluing, contact adhesive, etc. Once the seal 10, 10′, 10″ has been secured over the mouth 22 of the container 20, a cap 40 is secured to the container 20 over the seal 10, 10′, 10″. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the cap 40 is a removable continuous thread closure. However, this is not meant to be limiting, as the seal 10, 10′, 10″ can be used with any type of container 20 and closure 40, and for any type of substance stored within the container 20.

A consumer interested in the product stored within the container 20 may remove the cap 40 and smell the scent of the stored product released through the slits 12 in the seal 10, 10′, 10″, without removing the seal 10, 10′, 10″ and without sampling, tampering with, contaminating and/or spilling the product.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, there is shown another embodiment of seal 100 that can be used in the present invention. Like seals 10, 10′, 10″ of FIGS. 1-4, the seal 100 includes a seal body 110, including slits 112. In the present preferred embodiment shown, the seal 100 includes six slits 112 arranged in a circular configuration centered around the center of the seal body 110, which contributes to leak performance. Note that, if desired, more or fewer slits may be used, and they can be used in different locations than around the center, if desired, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Additionally, it should be understood that each of the seals 10, 10′, 10″ could be made having six slits arranged in configuration shown in FIGS. 6B-6C without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

In the present preferred embodiment, the seal body 110 is made in the manner described in connection with the seal 10′ of FIG. 4. More particularly, the seal 110 is of a one piece, multi-layer construction. In one particular embodiment, the seal 110 includes one or more of a polyester film top layer, a layer of EPE foam, a layer of aluminum foil and a sealing layer. The six slits 112 extend from a first face 111 of the seal body 110 to the second face 113 of the seal body 110. Additionally, a permeable material 120 is bonded to (i.e., with adhesive, heat or other laminating process, etc.) one of the faces 111 of the seal 110, over the slits 112. Preferably, the permeable material 120 is an FDA approved permeable material. In one particular embodiment, the permeable material is or includes spun bonded polyolefin. Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the face 111 including the permeable material 120 is the top face of the seal 110 while the face 113 is the bottom face. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the face 111 including the permeable material 120 is the bottom face of the seal 110, while the face 113 is the top face.

For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the seal body 110 includes a polyester film top layer, a layer of EPE foam, a layer of aluminum foil and a sealing layer, with slits 112 extending through the body 110 from the film layer to the sealing layer, and the permeable material is bonded to the polyester film top layer, over the slits 112. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the seal body 110 includes a polyester film top layer, a layer of EPE foam and a layer of aluminum foil having a ring of adhesive on the outer diameter of the circle defined by the slits, in order to bond a patch or permeable material over the circle of slits. Accordingly, in the multi-layer embodiment discussed above, a patch of the permeable material 120 may be bonded over the slits 112 on one of the polyester film top layer or the bottom most layer, as desired.

Alternately, an entire layer of permeable material 160 may be laminated to the top or bottom face of a slitted seal body, if desired. For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, a layer of permeable material 160 is laminated to one face of a one-piece, multilayer seal body 10′, over the slits 12, to form a seal 170.

Note that, it is desired that the slits 12, 112 do not extend through the permeable layer 120, 160, respectively. Consequently, the permeable layer 120, 160 provides further protection against leakage of the product through the slits 12, 112.

Referring now to FIGS. 6B and 6C, one particularly preferred embodiment of the slits 112 will be described. More particularly, the slits 112 are formed through all layers of the multi-layer seal, preferably at the center of the seal 100. The number of slits, slit size and slit arrangement can be adjusted based on the size of the seal 100.

One particular examples of a seal 100 will now be given. However, it should be understood that the following dimensions are for exemplary purposes, only, and that the present invention is not limited only to the dimensions given in these examples.

Example 1

In one particular embodiment of the invention, a seal 100 is made having a circumference (including tabs) of about 56.30 mm. For such a seal 100, it is preferred that between three and nine slits are provided for releasing the scent of the product. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the seal 100 has six slits, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. In another preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the seal has three slits. In the present example, it is preferred that each slit has a length L of between 2.5 and 6 mm. More preferably, the length of each slit is 3 mm. Additionally, in the present embodiment, each slit has a width of between 0.0025-0.01 mm, with 0.005 mm being most preferred. In the present example, the circumference φ of the circle in which the six slits are arranged is between 10-20 mm, with 16 mm being most preferred. Additionally, in the present example, it is preferred that the radial angle α that each slit extends about the center of the circle of slits be between 17.5°-42.5°. In one particularly preferred embodiment, it is most preferred that a be 21.59°.

It should additionally be understood that the present invention is also directed towards a method of manufacturing a seal, such as, seal 10, 10′, 10″, 100, 170. In a preferred embodiment, the seal 10, 10′, 10″, 100, 170 is manufactured using rotary, flat or laser die cutting to control the size and shape of the seal and the length, width, depth and angle of the slit 12 during the manufacturing process. It should be appreciated, however, that other die cutting methods now known or later developed may alternatively be used within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a sheet of bulk seal material 200 from which a plurality of individual seals 210 are cut or punched. For embodiments that include multiple layers of material (for example, the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 7), sheet 200 is assembled as a one-piece, multi-layer sheet prior to cutting and/or punching the seals 210 from the sheet. Thus, in that embodiment, the sheet 200 is formed from its individual sheets, first, and then the seals 210 are formed from the composite sheet.

Similarly, referring now to FIGS. 9A-9C, seals in accordance with the present invention can be made from strips 220, 230, 240 of composite, multi-layered materials that are fed through a punch/lining machine to form the seal. In the example of FIG. 9A, reels of strips 220, are pre-cut or punched to include the slits 224, which are spaced to be centered in each seal finally cut from the strips. Registration marks 222 are used by the cutting machine to align the strips and cut or punch both the slits 224 and the final seals including the slits 224. Similarly, FIG. 9B shows a multi-layer strip 230 in which the slits are pre-cut or punched in a position determined using the registration marks 232, and a patch 236 of permeable material is maintained over the slits by an adhesive ring or weld 234. FIG. 9C shows a seal material strip 240 in which the slits 224 were pre-cut or punched and a layer of permeable material 244 was laminated over the strip. Again, registration marks 242 help align the strips to ensure that the slits 224 (overlaid by the permeable material 244) are centered in the final seal cut or punched from the strip 240.

The seal of the present invention provides a simple, cost effective solution that will allow consumers to sample the scent of a product while the seal remains secured to the container. As a result, manufacturers currently selling products without seals will now be able to include seals on their containers and receive the benefits that seals provide, including maintaining product integrity, making the seal tamper evident, preventing leakage, preventing products from being contaminated and/or damaged by consumers sampling the products and reducing the volume of unsalable products resulting from leakage, contamination and damage.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention provides a seal for containers that allows the scent from the substance within the container to come through, while preventing leakage of the substance within the container. Such a seal can be used with any type of container and with any type of substance or product stored within the container. Additionally, It should be appreciated that the present invention may utilize other seal designs, materials and configurations now known or later developed that are capable of being removably secured to a container and preventing leakage of the substance within the container, without departing from the spirit of the invention. More particularly, it should be appreciated that the seals of the present invention may be embodied in a wide range of structures and designs, and may be suitable for use with many different types of containers.

Because the seals 10, 10′, 10″, 110, 170 of the present invention are capable of use with many different designs, materials and configurations known in the seal industry and may be manufactured and supplied to container manufacturers as precut discs and/or in rolls consistent with current practices, it can be utilized by closure and container manufacturers and end users using existing lining, sealing and capping equipment and current manufacturing processes and technologies. Additionally, because the seal 10 of the present invention may be manufactured using current, commonly used seal designs, materials and constructions and does not require any specialty equipment or manufacturing processes, it is inexpensive to manufacture and can be readily incorporated into the closure and container manufacturing processes. Further, it can be seen that a seal in accordance with the present invention can be manufactured at a cost comparable the cost of current conventional seals.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications, which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved, especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims. 

I claim:
 1. A method or assembling a container, comprising the steps of: providing a container including a body portion defining an internal chamber and an opening in communication with said chamber; providing a substance having a scent into said internal chamber through said opening; and affixing a seal over the opening, directly to a lip defining the opening to restrict access to said substance containing internal chamber, the seal including at least one slit configured to pass scent from the substance through the seal.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, after the affixing step, further providing a cap over the seal.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one slit is at least three slits arranged in a circle.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein a center of the circle is located at the center of the seal.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least three slits is six slits.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the seal is bonded directly to a mouth of said opening through heat induction.
 7. A seal for a container containing a substance having a scent, comprising: a body; and a plurality of slits extending through said body, said plurality of slits configured to pass scent from the substance through the seal while restricting the passage of the substance through the seal.
 8. The seal of claim 7, wherein the body is a one piece, multi layer body and wherein said plurality of slits extend through all layers of the one piece multi layer body.
 9. The seal of claim 7, further including a permeable material overlaying at least a portion of said body including said plurality of slits.
 10. The seal of claim 9, wherein said permeable material is a layer of permeable material laminated to said body.
 11. The seal of claim 9, wherein said permeable material is a patch of permeable material bonded to a surface of said body over said slits.
 12. The seal of claim 7, wherein the plurality of slits is at least three slits.
 13. The seal of claim 9, wherein the at least three slits are arranged in a circle centered around the center of the seal.
 14. The seal of claim 13, wherein the at least three slits are six slits.
 15. The seal of claim 13, further including a permeable material overlaying at least a portion of said body including said plurality of slits.
 16. A container including a body defining an internal cavity accessible through an opening defined by a circumferential lip, the container including a seal according to claim 7 bonded directly to the lip over the opening.
 17. A method for making a seal, comprising the steps of: providing a bulk seal material; making a plurality of slits through the seal material, the plurality of slits configured in a circle; and after the slit making step, forming the seal from the seal material.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bulk seal material is a multi-layered seal material.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of laminating a permeable material to one side of the bulk seal material after the slit making step but before the seal forming step. 